Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of 11 in Cuddalore Honour-Killing Case
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In a strong message against caste-based violence, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the conviction and sentences of 11 individuals involved in a 2003 honour-killing case in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu . The tragic case involved the brutal murder of a young couple belonging to different castes. Background: A Crime Rooted in Caste Discrimination The case stems from the gruesome murder of a Dalit boy and a girl from the Vanniyar community , who married against the wishes of their families. The couple was poisoned to death publicly in their village, a crime orchestrated by the girl's own father and brother , among others. The crime was rooted in caste prejudice, which the Supreme Court strongly condemned, describing it as an outcome of India's " deeply entrenched hierarchical caste system ." Trial and High Court Verdict Initially: 15 individuals were charged. The trial court convicted 13 persons and acquitted 2. Upon appeal, the Madras High C...